Pengiran Mohammed Abdul Rahman Piut

He was born in 1906, to parents of nobility Pengiran Abdul Rahman Piut and Pengiran Rahima. For his education, he went to Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He was one of the two teachers sent to Melaka Teachers' College (Maktab Perguruan Melaka) in Malacca, Malaysia.^[4]

He started his career as an assistant, running messages and holding items for the European wireless officer.^[5] Determined to learn English to better understand what the Europeans were saying, he dedicated intense efforts to learning and mastering the language. He eventually succeeded to the post of Wireless Officer.^[6] In 1924, he accompanied Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on a tour of Malaya in his capacity as aide-de-camp (ADC) of His Majesty the Sultan.^[7] In April 1929, L. R. Watts, the Wireless Engineer, was summoned back to Singapore, and for the rest of the year, Pengiran Mohammad, the Chief Operator or State Wireless Officer,^[8] served as the officer in charge of the department.^[9] Before the Second World War, he was also promoted to the post of Malay Secretary.^[6]

When the Japanese invaded and occupied Brunei during World War II, they drove out all foreigners, leaving just the native labour, including Pengiran Mohammad, who had been working in telecommunications for the British.^[10][8] Before Australian soldiers arrived in Borneo in the middle of 1945, the area was heavily bombed by Allied Forces and held by the Japanese military. He had been punished by the Japanese military occupation, and his family had endured hardship.^[10]

He later sent a letter from prison, with it discussing both political and personal aspects of the Japanese occupation period. He says that there were two distinct groups of Japanese people: the military and the government. The brutality came from the soldiers. The government employees were identical to everyone else. Children were treated well by them. He also succinctly refutes the Japanese notion that their conquest of Asia during World War I, which included Brunei, freed the people there from European colonialism:^[10]

Well as hindsight, the Japanese came here; this is what they're saying later. That they're going to liberate us in Brunei, or all this part of the world in Southeast Asia. To liberate these countries from being a colony of the British. But once they get rid of the British, why stay here for four years? That is one big question mark. If they really said that they want to liberate us, why stay for four years and why keep soldiers here for that period and frightening the inhabitants of the country. That's one big question mark to me.

In 1946, he was subject of a profile written by T.S Monks recounting the hardship he personally faced during World War II, published on the Sydney Morning Herald.^[6] Based on this, T.S Monks recounts that he was known to have a progressive outlook and the best English speaker in the state. The article states that in May 1945, he was hiding in a hut in the jungle along with a Chinese Singaporean man called Chiam where both had contracted malaria.

It is May, 1945, and in a hut made of palm leaves set in the jungle in the hills, a frail and tattered figure groans and moves painfully from his bed as a Chinese limps slowly towards the hut.

"Did you get the medicine, Chiam?" he asks.

Chiam answers wearily: "No, the Japs say that unless you come your- self you can't have any."

P.M. says nothing. Nothing seems any use any more. The ingenious tortures of the Kempe Tei have taken heavy toll, and this last bout of malaria seems the end, But then, Chiam, too - Dr. Chiam, the smart young dentist from Singapore - is almost finished. Chiam is but a shadow of his former self, and he cannot walk to the hospital much longer. Soon they would both die. The hope that the Allies would ever return is fading. Chiam, too, staunchly pro-British, is losing heart. He has even descended to eating a dog to keep himself alive, but his eyes are sunken and he looks an old man.

Peering out over the jungle-covered hills he knows so well, P.M. reflects that it is sad to end his days thus. There was so much to do, countries he might have one day seen, perhaps even have gone to London; a hope he had cherished almost throughout his life.

But P.M.'s light kept burning, and happier times were coming, for the Allies Were back three weeks later.

— T.S Monks, P.M. was a Trier, The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 Dec 1946

After the liberation of Brunei, he was among three representatives of Brunei attending of London Victory Celebrations of 1946. Awarded the title of "National Hero" for his perseverance and expertise in radio technology in order to communicate with the British Forces.

He later continued his work as a wireless engineer, and appointed as a member of the State Council in 1949.^[1] As of 1957, he became the Controller of Telecommunications,^[11] and would go on to retire at that post in 1966.^[3]

During the 1960s and 1970s, he was an active member of the nobility and was selected to represent Brunei Darussalam at several important events. Alongside this, he was also a member of the Privy Council throughout the this period.^[12] During this time, another profile was written about him by T.S. Monks, recounting his early life.^[5]

During this period, he was often a member of a delegation to hold exploratory talks in regards to joining Malaysia.^[13] He was a part of a six-person delegation to Malaysia to discuss the terms for Brunei Darussalam's entry into the Malaysian Federation.^[14] He was a member of the entourage of Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III to Calgary in 1964.^[15]

He also often acted as a representative of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei in important events. On the 26th October 1963, he arrived in Kuala Kangsar, Perak as a representative of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei at the Sultan of Perak's coronation.^[16] In 1964, he presented medals to individuals on behalf of the Sultan of Brunei to recognise their service to the Government of Brunei.^[17] In 1965, he once again represented the Sultan of Brunei in bestowing state honours to 5 Malaysians for their service.^[18]

According to the Brunei Annual Report 1971, he succeeded Prince Mohamed Bolkiah to the title of Duli Pengiran Temenggong.^[19]

In 1976, he oversaw the passing out parade of the 37th Recruit Intake of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment at Bolkiah Camp.^[20] he also presented Lieutenant stars to Lt Mohammad Yusof who was promoted from Second Lieutenant. He also presented cadet officer insignias to eight recruits.

On 25 May 1976, Pengiran Mohammad died at the age of 71, and was given a full honorary state funeral. It was attended by several officials which included the British High Commissioner, Wazirs, Cheterias, Manteri-Manteri, and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah himself. He was buried at Kubah Makam Di Raja.^[21][3]

Pengiran Mohammad was married three times. His first marriage was to Raden Mas Dino binti Pehin Orang Kaya Udana Laila Dato Setia Awang Inche Abdullah @ Raden Mas Abdullah bin Raden Mas Hanafi, a daughter of a prominent nobleman from the Tutong District of Brunei Darussalam. After the passing of Raden Mas Dino, he married Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Udana Laila Dato Setia Awang Inche Abdullah @ Raden Mas Abdullah bin Raden Mas Hanafi, sister to his late wife. Between the two marriages, he married Pengiran Hajah Mariam binti Pengiran Menuddin, a granddaughter of a nobleman, Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Harimau Pengiran Daud.^[22]

He had seven children; seven sons and one daughter.^[3] His children included the first ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the United States,^[23] Pengiran Idris (born 1934).^[10][24] His issue are as follows:

1. Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Yunus [s/o Raden Mas Dino]
2. Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Yunsi [s/o Raden Mas Dino]
3. Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Ya’akub [s/o Raden Mas Dino]
4. Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Idris [s/o Raden Mas Dino]
5. Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Radin Hanafi [s/o Raden Mas Dino]
6. Al-Marhum Pengiran Chedin [s/o Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah]
7. Al-Marhumah Pengiran Hajah Rohana [d/o of Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah]
8. Al-Marhumah Dayangku Mas Miri [d/o Pengiran Hajah Mariam, deceased during World War II]
9. Al-Marhum Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Ali [s/o Pengiran Hajah Mariam]

His brother, Al-Marhum Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Pengiran Haji Metusin bin Pengiran Abdul Rahman Piut, was also a member of the Bruneian nobility with the rank of cheteria. He has a sister named, Pengiran Siti Hawa, who would go on to give birth to Pengiran Umar and Pengiran Ibnu.^[25]

He enjoyed playing all fields of sports, but mostly football.^[3]

His house was next to that of the British Resident in Brunei Town, in the 1950s,^[26] and later in Kampong Manggis.

A. M. Azahari is his nephew.^[27]

 

Upon taking up as one of the Wazirs of Brunei, he was bestowed the title of Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar at Lapau, on 20 October 1971.^[19][28] He had previously held the Cheteria title of Pengiran Kerma Indera.^[29][3]

• 1950–1969: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Indera^[3]
• 1969 – 20 October 1971: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Shahbandar Sahibul Bandar^[30]
• 20 October 1971 – 25 May 1976: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar^[3]

National

Pengiran Mohammad has earned the following honours;^[31]

•   Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama
•   Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka
•   Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
•   Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Third Class (PNB)
•   Order of Perwira Agong Negara Brunei First Class (PANB; 2 October 1963)^[32]
•   Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
•   Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal First Class (POAS; 23 September 1958)^[33]
•   Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
•   Omar Ali Saifuddin Coronation Medal (31 May 1951)^[34]
•   Campaign Medal (22 April 1965)^[35]

Foreign

•   United Kingdom:
  •   King George VI Coronation Medal (1951)^[36]
  •   Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)